Employ Architect or not?

ayeboy

Hi,

Ive just got sale agreed on a 3 bed semi. I plan to stick a 60m2 (2 floor) extension on the back (planning permitted). I've done up hand drawings myself. I'm happy with the layout I've got. Basically upstairs..bedroom with ensuite and wardrobe. Downstairs...opening up to dining area and adjoining utility.

Question is should I employ and architect to see if I can better utilise the space and roughly how much would they charge (donegal)?

Another thing is... if I don't, will builder be able to use my drawings with out any repercusions for me should he mess up further down the line and say "well didnt have proper drawings to work off". The drawings I've done are good for plan view (which isn't difficult) but I'd be concerned with roof pitches and no idea of cutting in to existing roof.

Cheers!!

sinnerboy

Well - would you be happy to buy the house if someone like yourself extended it without professional assistance ?

You will find builders more than happy to work off whatever documents are provided . There are good competent and honest ones around . There are many that are not . Can you tell them apart ? Could you judge a claim for extra to be genuine or a try on ?

Take a look around this forum and it's sub forums . If construction is so simple why do they exist ?

I am an Architectural Technician , so I do have an agenda . What I do is difficult and demanding so I must conclude that you most certainly should employ an expert - Architect , Technician or Engineer .

.

The more detailed the plans are, the better it works for all concerned.

It works both ways, the builder knows what is needed and you know what to expect him to provide.

I did my own plans, but then again, I built my own house, myself.

Mellor

Deleted User wrote: »

The more detailed the plans are, the better it works for all concerned.

It works both ways, the builder knows what is needed and you know what to expect him to provide.

I did my own plans, but then again, I built my own house, myself.

What a layperson (not you, the OP or otherwise) considers details, probably isn't a whole lot of detail.

dan_d

Money, money, money.

You've got a plan but you've no idea how to work the details so it adjoins the existing house.
You've no sections, so I presume there's no details as to how the roof works, or any drainage etc.

The less detail you have, the more money it will cost you in the long run.So you should employ somebody (architect/technician etc) to draw you up a set of details for what you want to do. Unfortunately, building, even just to this small extent is not the same as ordinary DIY and I think that's a mistake a lot of people make.

morning delight

The architect will do more with the layout than you can imagine. They will integrate the new and the old and your site and orientation. They will interview you as to you're needs and wants - family etc etc. Are you an outdoor person? Are you a film lover? The architect takes all these things into consideration.

I pretty much thought I had the perfect house designed. I've watched all the programmes, took note of what I liked and disliked in other people's house, read all the mags etc. The architect's product was the equivalent of Man Utd/ Chelsea and mine was like Scunthorpe!

Best of luck what ever you decide

ayeboy

Hi guys,

Thanks for getting back to me on this. The reason I was considering not getting an architect was that I'd be fairly confident spec'ing everything (up to wall plate...after that i get fear of heights.... So i know i'd make a mess of even attempting sectional drawings of roof. I take on Sinnerboy's point that you could get a builder that could work of what I provide but I guess the risk isn't worth it. And Morning delight...yeah what I have now seems perfect but who knows, there may be much better ways. So yeah I'll get on to a few architects and see which one best suits. Thanks for the help!

Kevin

muffler

And seeing as you are in Donegal don't forget about the technicians